Beer: Reviews & Ratings

Single finger head with excellent lacing on a clear amber with straw hues body. Aroma is malty with caramel, candied fruit and light toffee. Very smooth caramel malts, tanginess, candied citrus and light toffee. Moderate carbonation and smooth oily body. This is one of the smoothest and more drinkable barleywines I have had. Very good and highly drinkable for the style. (372 characters)

Pours a copper color with a minimal off-white head and a touch of lacing, though most of the head fades into a thin color. Some light legs as well. The nose is really quite plain with only a bit of bread and some brown sugar. The taste is mildly sweet and has a bit of light booze. Moderate caramel and brown sugar there as well. Mild cherry in the back end. Medium body with low carbonation and a dry finish. Not bad, but not particularly good, either. (502 characters)

This beer poured out as a really nice amber color with a pretty good thin yellowish cream colored head. Thin, not much lacing but stuck around for a while on top. The smell of this beer has a really nice sweetness, grains and malts on the nose. The taste is also sweet, it's got a citrus kick of lemon in the flavor. The malts and grains are really flavorful. The mouthfeel of the beer is smooth, nicely balanced. Overall a damn good Barley Wine! (446 characters)

Bottle: Poured a murky brown color ale with a small foamy head with minimal retention and not much lacing. Aroma consists of deep caramelized malt with quite a bit of green hoppy notes. Taste is also a mix between some overly sweet caramelized malt with some stalled green hops that don’t really mix that well with the malt backbone. Body is about average with medium-to-low carbonation and light apparent alcohol. There is something off balanced in this beer that I didn’t particularly enjoyed. (499 characters)

azy dark, burnt ruby amber. Very intresting hue as the reddish tint was very noticeable even though the haze made it almost opaque. A one inch head formed on the top upon pour, that faded almost immediatly. What was left was a thin film of decent quality lace that circle around the glass. Smell was very sweet, caramel sugars hitting almost immediatly. The deeper smell after some warming indicated a nice bready, earthy malt back with a hint of alcohol, which at 9%abv and being a barleywine should be expected. The taste for me was just too light. I expect barleywines to make me sit down and to be a definite sipper, but this just did not have the fullness I would have expected. The finish on it was very dry, and did last a good bit though (745 characters)

This year's Devil's Milk was a little bit disappointing, so I'll have to be sure to try it again next year! Its short head of creamy off-white foam receeds quickly (as might be expected considering its strength), but it still leaves some limited splashes of lace about the snifter. The hazy mahogany body appears darkish on the bar or table but reveals a glowing ring of orangeish gold at the rim as you raise the glass to your lips. The aroma offers some dried apricot and tart baking apples (acetaldehyde) along with a waft of alcohol over a limited amount of malt. The body is medium and it's soft in the mouth with a fine carbonation. Its flavor delivers a well-balanced combination of alcohol; bitterness; and straight-forward, just slightly caramel-touched malt. It finishes dry with some lingering malt, bitterness, and apple. (833 characters)

On tap at the Arundel Mills location on 11/15/08. Served in a 10 oz snifter.

Pours a clear but deep colored cranberry with a thin head of fizzy, pale-tan head. The retention doesn't look that impressive at first but once I get the level down some and start swirling this bad boy, it flares up beautifully, leaving a huge and creamy cascade of lacing behind. The aroma is floral hops with a piney edge to it and a sticky smelling mix of bready malts, spice, citrus, and a waft of alcohol warmth.

The taste is an assertive floral hop profile that seems to be a bit more earthy and less "West Coast" feeling than I remember past releases of this being. The hops are propped up by a big backbone of bread, citrus, and spice. Finishes warm, bitter, and sticky. The mouthfeel is medium-full bodied that lends itself more to the beefier side of the alcohol spectrum but never feels stinging. As a matter of fact, the ABV is incredibly well hidden and will creep up on you quickly if you let it.

This is IMHO, probably the best offering that DuClaw puts out during the year. A robust American Barleywine with great strength behind it, yet remaining a steady and warming sipper. My only complaint is that they serve this way to cold. Let it warm up and enjoy. Good stuff that I'm hoping to grab a couple more glasses of this winter before it's gone. (1,346 characters)

thanks to mughugger for sharing -poured close to cellar temp into a cervoise

A - deep copper/brilliant amber w/ 2 finger ecru cap and streamers of lace cling to the glass. The ale has tiny beading and retention is good

S - The aroma has both floral and spiced elements w/ woody hop notes. The barleywine is slightly cherry estered with a light caramel note from the malt and subtle alcohol note w/ pine again from the hops

T - The taste has lots of caramel malt and herbal notes from the hops but not quite bitter flavored w/ fruity yeast taste and light brown sugar flavor which hangs on and borders on cloying with moderate alcohol in the taste with mild pepper and pine accent. The mild orange from the malt/hop combo accents a mild biscuit taste w/ sweet malty finish

D - I appreciated trying this and it was not a bad barleywine, but for the style I could think of many that outpace this. I prefer a bit more hop in an American if that is what the brewer intended - but it is possible the beer has a little age on it, nice barleywine, thanks for the taste mughugger (1,197 characters)

2012 vintage pours copper colored with a finger of pearl colored head. Good lacing & average head retention

S: Some breadyness, pears & figs, plus booze; started to open up as this warmed

T: Oaky dryness, boozey pears & a touch of figs & cherry up front. Big-time woody hops as this warms, much dryness as well, plus a touch of caramel & more pear. finishes very dry, woody with pear brandy notes & just a touch of grapefruit & pine at the very end

MF: Fairly chewy with low carbonation, alright balance

Seems more like an English barleywine, just doesn't hop forward enough. Drank fairly easy, but nothing to get excited about, Started to show more American aspects the last third of the bottle, but this was stored & served at 56 degrees, so it had to warm up a ton to really show what it was (798 characters)

Thanks go to Kegatron for gifting me with a 12oz bottle of this. Poured into a matching Duclaw pint, the brew alpears a slightly hazed copper with an off-white cap more than a finger strong. The cap fades leaving a wall of lacing effect.

The aroma is like candy with an herbal hop inclusion mixed with some mineral/carbonic quality. Overall not a bad smelling beer, just a bit disjointed and lacking any clear direction. The sugary or candy aspect is a bit distracting.

The flavor is sweet with a mineral aspect somewhat like dirty pennies. There is a dusty grain inclusion which while not exaxtly thrilling, is much appreciated over the candy-like sweetness you might expect base off the aroma. The candy sugary quality the brew does display feels somewhat burnt in the aftertaste which is not all that enjoyable.

This is a medium bodied brew with a modest amount of carbonation. It is boozy and awkward and not something I would seek out if looking for a solid barleywine. It saddens me to say it because I am always hoping to see local places do good but this one is rough. I appreciate the chance to try this but would probably not persue again. (1,153 characters)

Brewed 2006, Sampled July 2007
Pours with a three-finger thick, light tan colored head that sits atop a brilliantly clear, light cranberry tinged, full amber colored beer. The aroma is a mix of herbaceous hops and ample, concentrated malt. Notes of caramel, brown sugar, boozy-brandied over-tones, toasted grain, syrup-crusted soda crackers make up the malt notes. The hop aromas at times contribute a soft berry-like note to this beer as well as a soft pine-like note and almost even a winter-green character. The malt & hops do combine to give this an aromatic fruit component, but it is only noticeable at times.

Fairly sweet, especially considering that this is not the thickest or richest Barleywine out there. The sweetness accentuates a soft, berry like flavor that runs throughout this beer. A herbaceous hop character is also found in this beer, but becomes the most noticeable note towards the finish where it is something like a mix of resinous pine and rosemary notes. Citrusy hop components play a role here, though somehow the straight-forward malt sweetness turns them into berry like flavors; at times notes of bergamot, tangelo and candied orange peel are quite noticeable. As the beer warms up the candied orange peel flavors become quite a bit more noticeable. A solid bitterness is noticeable from beginning to end, though it does not quite tame the simplistic malt sweetness, but it does make a good attempt.

This certainly hides the alcohol quite well, I never would have guessed it was near 12%, though this would never be mistaken for a light weight. The hop character is still fairly vibrant, and this certainly has not picked up much age or oxidation yet. This beer becomes more enjoyable as time goes on; it has become a fitting beer to end the night on. (1,788 characters)

A real deep dark orange body, with a slightly opaque character. Head is real nice and creamy two fingers, thick and rich looking with a yellow and tan tinge. Thick collared and creamy with a good thin top. Bright and glowing, real nice.

Classic notes of mild caramel and sweet hop and booze. Slight tangerine orange, and lots of citrus with some mild caramel notes. Good bit of pine and hints of herbality as well. Pretty straight forward, actually reminds me very much like Bigfoot.

Palate is quite a bit surprising. Real creamy actually "milky" character on the palate for the feel. Rich solid nice mid palate filled with lots of citrus fruit, thick juice, and hints of honey. Lip smacking coating of sweet honey and light caramel on the finish. Mild tones of vanilla and cream as well. Controlled booze like warmth with a great chewy texture.

A solid American barleywine, definitely a DuClaw brew I can get excited about. (984 characters)

Pours a dark ruby red color that's completely opaque with a 1.5 finger frothy off-white head that has very good retention, only slowly fading into a thick lasting cap/ring. Large rings and chunks of soapy lacing left behind.

Earthy aroma with a nice balance of floral and citrus hops, estery fruit notes and leathery malt. The hop presence is stronger than expected with hints of grassy pine and lots of sweet citrus. This is complimented by the light fruit notes from the yeast. The malt presence becomes more prominent as it warms with some earthy, leathery notes. Hints of caramel, toffee, dark fruit and toast.

Medium bodied with a strong hop presence up front that lingers over the sweeter notes into a sweet, slightly dry finish. Some dry, bitter notes with hints of grassy pine followed by some sweet citrus. The malts are pretty tame for a barleywine without being overly musty/leathery. Hints of nut, caramel and toffee as well as a sweeter dark fruit character. Subtle sweetness and boozy heat in the finish but the high ABV is well masked making it easy to drink. Well balanced but feels more like a strong ale than a barleywine. (1,142 characters)

A 1 L swingtop bottle that I purchased at the Bowie brewpub approximately two years ago.

A: The barleywine is a reddish-orange color, dark enough to obscure the body. For a two year old ale, a decent head conjures up and lasts through most of the glass.

S: The nose is intensely strong, a malt-lover's delight. Caramel and brown sugar are the dominant aromas.

T: The taste is as robust and thick as I remember when I last had it on tap. Both malts and hops are strong, although the malts are the focus of this one. Caramel, brown sugar and dark fruits lead the way, strong and concentrated. The caramel body is thick, almost syrupy in its consistency. I am very impressed that the ale has held it's own over the past two years.

M: A caramel malt dream, this ale will disappoint the hop heads. DuClaw always managed to do some beers right; this one falls into that category.

D: At 11%, this beer is meant for sharing. Deuane, Ffejherb, ksak and I all enjoyed sipping on this one. (984 characters)

22 bottle from the fantastic trader Baltimorebeerguy... Josh, I truly appreciate it.. I think the Idol of our trade may be enjoyed soon.

Pours deeeep orange... clear... nice sticky tan head.

Nose shows good American C hops that get hit hard by sweet caramel malts.. a tad hot with some fruity esters with warmth.

Flavor begins with a good bitter hop bite.. piney hops show later.. so do bits and pieces of tangerine zest.. toasty elements meld well with the caramel malt and some raisin and dark cherry...

Reminds me alot of a fresh '05 Old Boardhead.. I don't see this being "great/good" for a year or so, but right now, alot of American qualities are coming out swinging with just enough malts to hang in there.

Nice... surprising... I want some bottles.... hit me up.. no kidding.

Thanks Josh.. The original trade was fantastic.. but the other stuff puts you in the "epic" category.

Poured into a DFH chalice (also received from jwjon1 in Local BIF), formed a 1/2" beige head above the clear, coppery red brew. Head quickly falls to an uneven layer of bubbles, with the majority of the population gripping the edges. Lacing is leggy, airy, and lasting.

Aroma is sweet, fruity, and alcoholic. Taste starts with fruity sweetness, moderate pine hops bite makes a good presence in the middle, and close is warming but not overpowering. Mouthfeel is possibly a touch too slick, could use a bit more body, but drinkability is excellent for a brew of these levels. Dare I say this is a balanced 11% brew? Great stuff. (738 characters)

A: Sunset orange with a rich, creamy 1 inch head that was thick and frothy like the topping of a cappucino. The head was antique white with yellowish undertones. Slow rise of carbonation seemed suspended at times. Love the thick whipped cream style head, though its lacing was a little underpar per substance.

S: Tropical fruit, fresh citrus with a bit of grass. Dried honey toasted caramel grains with a touch of pear and apple fruitiness along with some green melon. Nice complexity, an almost fruity ipa quality.

T: Semi-dry citurs, milky flavor, or is it subliminal? Hoppy, dry toasted specialty grains. There is a bit of fruitiness, but is not as dominate or clearly defined as was on the nose. There seems to be a bit of honey substance followed by some oaky alcohol heat on the finish.

M: Medium bodied, some honey, slippery texture and fullness. A warming of citrus and alcohol on the inner cheeks with a spicy bite on the finish.

O: Overall its a triple ipa thinly disguised as an barleywine. Fairly smooth to consume even at 10.6%. Had a few of thier beers previously, this is the first that truely impresses me. (1,129 characters)

Pours a lightly hazed copper color with a thicker crop of beige head resting on top. Spotty lacing on the glass while drinking.

Fairly intense hop bitterness in the nose with resinous pine and grapefruit peel. Raisin and caramel with roasted malts and soft sweetness. Alcohol punch combines with the hops to create a formidable scent.

Citrusy and pine hop bitterness right up front with sticky resin, grapefruit and oranges. Biting and slightly harsh with some tempering caramel and raisin sweetness. Roasted malts with bread crust and a creamy dose of brown sugar. Finishes bitter, hoppy and boozy.

Fuller medium body, slightly higher carbonation, sticky and coating on the tongue. Extremely hoppy barleywine that could probably benefit from some time in the cellar, although this isn't exactly in the top tier of the style. (875 characters)

Poured a dark copper red with minimal head and lace. A large malty aroma with some sticky sweetness and a hint of citric, fruity hops. Very medium-close-to-fuller bodied beer with some sweet caramel/sugary goodness (vanilla?) and there's a balance w/ dry, roasted malt. Bitter and sweet fruit tastes come through, mostly some tart cherry notes and the beer passes huskily over the tongue with a touch of stickiness although some sips gave off a sour, funky (not in a bad way) backbite. A sturdy sipper I took my time w/ and enjoyed. (532 characters)